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mimiplaysgames · 3 years

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Terraqua Week Day 7 (Night Sky)

Summary: They don’t know it’s called love. Terra and Aqua dare a night out in a storm. || Word Count: 4,511

Read on AO3

A/N: @terraquaweek AAAAAAA it’s over!! It’s been a wild ride. This particular fic I feel is my weakest of the collection - I literally ran out of time to make this one special in my eyes. It’s just a soft and tender fic. I’m sorry I couldn’t give a stronger conclusion, but I hope you take something you like out this one regardless!

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Wayfinding

The sky over Destiny Islands is beautiful. Like the mountains in the Land of Departure, we’re isolated here, an audience to pinpricks of light blinking down at us with secrets from far away.

Kairi’s been begging us to visit for a couple of nights to stargaze with her and her friends. She says we’ll be blown away. Tonight, storm clouds blot the sky in clumps, leaving us breaks in between to guess constellations. I do believe you could see stars from Destiny Islands you can’t see anywhere else, even though we all share the same sky. It’s special.

Ven points to a nebula, millions of miles away. “Hold on, is that—”

“The star system of Montressor, yep.” Terra takes a swish of water.

“It’s so much closer here.”

“What’s Montressor?” Sora crushes melted marshmallow onto chocolate, his fingers coated.

We’re sharing a fire, camping out on the beach and listening to the waves crashing. The beach overwhelms the senses in a way that grounds you. I can’t see the ocean through the darkness, but I can smell it. I can feel it by the humidity that drapes over my skin. There’s no mistaking where I am. The beach in the Realm of Darkness smelled like nothing.

And yet, if I walked into the water, I’d walk forever. The horizon vanishes at night.

The cloudy weather lately has made it difficult for us to see everything, so Terra has asked if we could stay longer. This is our third night.

“It’s a cluster of its own stars, like a galaxy.” Terra denies chocolate with his s’more. “The people there travel between different planets with their skyships.”

Kairi snorts. “The adults told us that a god sneezed millions of years ago and that’s his celestial booger smear.”

Sora gapes. “That sounds cool, I’ve never been.”

“You’re missing out,” Riku says, smirking as he chews.

“Wait, when did you go?”

Kairi plucks a marshmallow from the basket. “We can schedule a trip together. It will be fun.”

Terra cocks an eyebrow. “If you enjoy getting mugged by sky pirates.”

Sora leans forward, eyes wide at Terra’s nose. “Sky pirates? There’s such a thing? Oh, I’m in.”

They’re lovely kids, self-trained and their technique shows it. I take a sip of water out of a straw from a coconut that Riku had broken in half by smashing it against a boulder.

Terra eyes me from across the fire, holding my gaze as he drinks. We chose not to sit next to each other—no one else needs to know—but I admit that from this angle, I get to enjoy the way he looks at me. It was only last night that he held my hand and brushed his lips against mine, tucked behind a palm tree where no one saw us. I came back to the hut with fire on my cheeks. I still feel it in my stomach.

I can’t help my smile. I want to look at him longer but I don’t, so I cross my legs.

Paopu fruits hang on the trees nearby. Ven has mentioned (in front of everyone else) that Terra and I should share one. I told him to shut up, and he hasn’t brought it up again since.

“If we’re lucky,” Sora says, “we could see a meteor shower.”

I choke on my drink but keep my lips sealed.

Ven opens his mouth to reply but Terra hands him a warning glare.

Every star in the sky is a world. When worlds fall, the sphere that holds them together breaks into pieces, like the glass that shatters when the lantern is dropped. That is a meteor shower, but I wouldn’t want to break anyone’s heart if they believe otherwise.

“Don’t you wish upon them?” I ask, forcing myself to swallow. The thought of wishing upon the harm of others, even unintentionally, churns me. “Is that the tradition?”

“You mean you don’t?” Kairi asks.

I shrug, desperate for an answer. “We… don’t wish upon much. There’s little use for it when you’re training for the Keyblade.”

Terra turns away to hide a smirk.

“That’s so depressing,” Sora says and I frown.

The wind is warm and moist. It’s so peaceful, of course the only stories you’d ever hear about the stars are the good ones.

Ven jumps up, pointing at the sky. “Look, look!”

Two shooting stars fly straight across. May they be blessed.

“Okay.” Sora slaps his hands together. “Wishing time. I wish…” He closes his eyes, and for a second, a solemn smile darkens his face. “I’ve been away for so long. Any minute Donald is going to ring me up and take me somewhere. I just want to stay home for a while, just a few days. You know, take a break, be with you guys, my best friends. I promised my mom I’d help with her gardening and stay one night for dinner.”

Riku nods to himself.

“I’d like the same,” Kairi says, laying on her stomach on her blanket, gazing at the fire.

“You’re not supposed to be wishing on them,” Ven blurts out, covering his mouth too late.

Sora’s eyebrows furrow. This is not a look I like to see on him. “Why?”

If Ven could kick himself without anyone seeing, he would.

Terra holds onto Sora’s shoulder. “A shooting star is someone traveling between worlds. Their heart is reaching out to someone to comfort or protect them. You don’t want to wish for something selfish, you want to wish the best for them.”

The expression Sora gives can only be described as horror. “Oh, well, um, safe travels buddy. I hope you find your friend.”

“Is it too late to take the wish back?” Riku asks. I think he’s asking on purpose considering how much more fraught Sora becomes and how much Riku is enjoying it.

Terra notices. He nods his head to the side. I love the way he does it. He’s beautiful. “Probably.”

“But I really do want them to be safe,” Sora whines, defeated.

The wind picks up, clouds floating across the sky at a speed where they swallow the stars. It smells damp and it feels hotter.

“I don’t like the looks of this,” Riku says, dumping the pail of water next to him onto the fire. He kicks sand over it for good measure. Sora and Kairi don’t hesitate to stack baskets and fold blankets.

“What’s going on?” Ven asks, moving slowly when he folds his chair, as if unsure.

“Monsoon season.” Riku steps on the last embers. “We didn’t expect a storm to come out this soon but you never know.”

“Maybe it wasn’t supposed to come tonight.” Kairi eyes Sora suspiciously.

“No way—” Sora starts.

“Nice job, Sora.” Riku says. “You’ve doomed us all.”

“I didn’t wish for a monsoon!”

“You wished to be locked up here with us. Congratulations.”

I interrupt. “What do you need me to do? Where do we go for shelter?”

Kairi points to their treehouse, which connects through the cavern and which, from my understanding, stood there through their entire childhood. “My dad—the one you’ve met before, Papa—fortified it with extra wood on the walls and the roof. It’s always been safe.”

By the time we have everything packed and are going up the ramps to the treehouse, it’s pouring. At least it’s not the iciness of mountain rain.

The door bangs when Kairi swings it open, the wind throwing it back and forth as if it’s juggling it between two hands. Ven waves his arm in a circular motion—his magic redirects the wind for as long as he can hold it, letting everyone inside before he lets go and the door slams behind us.

Inside, we dry ourselves with rags, our shoes and socks warming up under the lanterns. We have fresh blankets and sacks of food, in case the storm lasts all night.

Except in terms of blankets, we’re one short.

Ven hands Terra the last blanket and (pointedly) says something to him.

The last blanket is the largest, so I’d have to share it with Terra. I adore Ven to pieces (and I won’t protest sharing any space with Terra), but when Ven gets difficult, I sometimes have to suppress myself. Judging by the way Terra wraps it around our shoulders and nudges close to me, he doesn’t care what the others think anymore.

Kairi quickly looks away from us, rolling her lips inward like she’s witnessed a scandal.

Rain beats onto the roof, a million patters like the fingers of thousands of people asking to be let in. Thunder rumbles in quickly, soothing then unsettling. Terra and I sit in front of a window, the water so thick that it blurs the screen. Under the blanket, he rolls a finger over my wrist, stroking my palm. I smile at him.

“We should have brought real fruit,” Ven says, chewing on dried mango. If by real fruit he means paopu, he’s smart for not specifying it.

“You need finer taste,” Kairi says, chewing on the same.

“You need culture,” Sora says, swallowing something I don’t recognize.

The idea of a spontaneous camp-in might have been exciting the first several minutes, but hours later, it becomes agony.

All this time, I can’t talk to Terra about anything too personal, though we’ve snuck a few passing whispers here and there.

He asks me an indistinct question that anyone can misinterpret out of context: When did you know?

My answer is just as vague. I was fourteen.

There’s not much we can do to explore touch. I tend to listen more to the way he takes finger by finger. Terra will intermittently say one sentence with minimal effort, but just enough so that the others know we’re still with them. I worry that if I laugh a certain way, it would expose us.

But no one asks, too busy chatting about building bigger boats for the one dream they’ve never been able to accomplish.

At some point, Terra challenges Riku to a rematch.

“So what you’re telling me,” Riku says, a mock-smirk that fits perfectly on his face, “is that you’re very impressed and you want to be foolish enough to lose to me a second time so that everyone else knows how impressive I am.”

“We all know, Riku,” Sora says.

“But Terra wants to remind you.”

Terra laughs as if he’s not interlacing his fingers with mine. He squeezes my hand.

It’s when everyone’s eyes are closed, drifting away to sleep, that Terra wraps his arm around my waist and I rest on his shoulder. One lantern is still on. The storm has quieted for now, but we’ve been told to expect another onslaught.

Terra cranes his head back, looking out the window. He’s done this twice per hour, but the sky has been black, the clouds smearing everything.

“What are you looking for?” I whisper.

“I have this very,” Terra starts, pausing, “vague memory of looking up to the stars, looking for home but I could never find it.”

So not his memory, but Xehanort’s. Blurs and images that make no sense, as if from a dream. Castle Oblivion never shined, so of course Xehanort couldn’t find it for the last twelve years. Terra is lucky that’s as much as he remembers. I don’t know how he could possibly deal if he woke up with a history of every crime Xehanort has committed in his body.

“And I feel like,” Terra continues, his eyes lost, his voice hushed. “I’ve—or he—tried over and over again.”

“Ah.” I sigh. “You were looking for it these past few nights.”

“The Master told me that home is the brightest star in the multiverse. You could see it through the clouds. It would always guide you back if you were lost.”

“I never heard that story.”

Terra looks at me and holds me closer. “That was before you came.”

“Whether it’s true or not, it’s out there.”

He frowns, leaning his head back against the windowsill again. “The idea that home was gone at some point… that’s the one thing that haunts me still, even though I know it’s just a trip away and I could always go back. But knowing that doesn’t suffice.”

I rub his stomach. “We can find it together.”

He goes quiet, the hand on my waist tensing up. The wheels in his mind turn. “Do you want to find it tonight?”

I look up at him.

“The storm has stopped,” he says.

“For now.”

“Then we come back before it starts again.” He pulls me closer, nearly settling me on top of his leg. I feel his smirk in my hair.

I glance out the window. “But the clouds are too thick.”

“Well, if the story is true—”

“If.”

“Then we’d take some time for ourselves.” He nudges my nose, and I wish he’d kiss me. “We’re Keyblade wielders. A monsoon isn’t impossible to manipulate.”

I stifle a laugh. He has a quick answer for everything, and to any given person, it’d be infuriating. I once found it so when I was younger.

“I am obligated to remind you that it’s dangerous,” I say, wishing I could get away with tasting his lips. I come close to.

“I feel like I’m about to scream,” he says, brushing my hair. “I need to do something loud. Yell. Throw myself into the ocean. Touch you—I don’t know. It’s too suffocating in here. I’ve suffocated for twelve years. I’ve had enough.”

I don’t know why my heart jumps at the idea when it’s so reckless. Terra is not a bad influence, he’s just as responsible as I am, yet I find myself yearning for the thrill.

I haven’t tasted something like this in years, when thrill was something to be avoided in the Darkness.

“Okay. But we come back in no less than twenty minutes.”

We blow out our lantern and Terra takes precious, long seconds to turn the doorknob.

Ven stirs, his bright eyes blinking open in the dark. “You guys are leaving?” he whispers.

“We’re coming back,” Terra says.

“Is this going to happen a lot?”

My heart sinks. It’s usually the three of us, never disconnected except when we’re bickering. I look to Terra for what to say when he replies with, “Do you want to come with us?”

Ven looks at me. “Nah. I’m tired.”

I bend down and pet his head. “You’ll come with us next time.”

“I know.” Ven wiggles in his blanket and gets comfortable. “Just don’t drown.”

Terra gently takes my wrist. As much as I’m compelled to stay with Ven, Terra’s smile is a reminder that there’s little to worry about with him. We leave the shoes and socks behind.

Outside, the wind howls strong, my sashes beaten in fury. The sand is warm when we step off the ramp, loose swirls of dust devils skidding across the beach. It’s dark without the moonlight, the ocean waves crashing onto the shore so hard that all I see are white bubbles. My heart races, but this feeling is nothing like the constant race of fear in the Dark Realm. No, this is familiar yet foreign. The slap of salty air in my face makes me gush with something jittery.

Terra cups his hands close to the ground and jerks them forward near the base of the giant tree where the treehouse stands. The sand buckles—he’s moving earth and boulder against the trunk of the tree, compensating for years of erosion, creating a natural scaffolding to fortify it further.

The river nearby spills out of its bank, small streams skittling towards the ocean. I bring my hands together and wave them back inland, redirecting the water away from the tree so there is less risk of flooding.

I hear Terra calling me. The wind ruins his hair—he looks more charming this way. When he walks, his pants flatten and blow open like balloons. He gathers bunches of my hair in his thick, large fingers, holds it off of my face, and kisses me. He’s firm and pulsing, strong but gentle, the touch of his lips igniting a flame that rides up to my heart. By the way he breathes through me, he’s been wanting to do this for a long time.

A gust of wind bashes against our bodies. Water splashes on our knees and I nearly topple down.

We laugh into each other’s shoulders, my legs caked in wet sand. He’s holding me up by my arms, taking me towards the nearest palm tree.

“This is the most insane thing I’ve ever done,” I say, my voice raised to compete against the roar of the wind.

“I needed this,” he says, nodding.

My heart sighs in agreement.

Terra trembles from adrenaline, his smile glued on his face. He gestures in a way to call something down from above. A palm tree bends over, giving its head to us. “I want you to meet my new best friend, Leafy.”

I snort. “What is this for?”

Terra giggles before grabbing a paopu fruit. “Thank you, my friend,” he says to Leafy, bowing.

“You’re talking to a tree.”

Pointing that out melts him into hysteria. “I don’t know how to describe it. I am so happy right now.” He gestures like he’s about to rip his skin off, something inside about to explode. “And I don’t know what to do with that feeling.” He turns to me, holding out the paopu fruit. “I want to share this with you.”

My cheeks hurt. “We don’t know how it works.”

“Will you accept it anyway?”

No second thoughts.

It has the consistency of an orange, the taste of a grape. The legend of the fruit claims that it binds the destinies of those who share it together, intertwining their hearts and fates so they’re a part of each other’s lives forever. It could be a symbolic gesture—I certainly thought so when I made our Wayfinders, embedding my magic into them to make sure they work that way.

I don’t know what I think of the future—I stopped planning for it the day I fell to Darkness—but I would be okay so long as Terra stays somewhere in my life.

Terra leans forward and bites the other side of the fruit, right out of my mouth. It catches me off guard, shuddering me into a chuckle, and I lean to meet him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He tastes of warmed juice. My heart pounds at the slide of his fingers on my forearms as he pushes my sleeves away. I lose the paopu fruit somewhere when he pulls me in.

I realize now what it is: I’ve been numbed. The Realm of Darkness hushes it all inside, leaving you with nothing but your thoughts. When you can’t take much more, you wish for it to be over. Then, you are soothed, a sick, cold honey that drips over your skin. The numbness makes you keep walking so you keep living, until you can’t take the numbness anymore and you go back to despairing. Only to be soothed yet again. The only real emotion that lasts for more than a moment is the sudden whiplash when Heartless attack and you have to survive. The wrong kind of thrill.

Terra has been cut off from all senses for twelve years.

I’ve been quieted.

So I need him. I need him to brush his fingers on my skin, I need to taste his tongue, I need to run in the rain, laugh at stupid jokes, get scared on purpose, for reasons that don’t truly threaten me. Terra reminds me of the morning when we raced in the ravine as children. He reminds me that there’s more to the way my heart beats than keeping my hands to myself.

Terra sighs into my neck. “I wish I was strong enough to be a shooting star for you,” he says into my ear. “I’m sorry we waited twelve years to do this.”

Does he not remember that he came to me in the Darkness? He told me not to give up.

He told me that I never stopped lighting his way back. I must have flown in the sky too, without knowing, for other children to see. Maybe I’ve done so many times. I hold him tightly.

An unnaturally strong gust targets at us, loose leaves slapping us and nicking my face. Terra looks up and bursts into laughter. “Stars, he’s watching us.”

Ven sits at the window, waving his arms in circles, as if to slap our wrists with rulers for such behavior.

My instinct is to remove myself from all scrutiny, but I bump into Terra’s chest. I laugh. I don’t know what else to do except to take his hand and run to the other side of the beach. I think about how Ven must have been worried, and opened that window to see what we were up to, only to witness what he did, and—

—I cover my mouth and snort. “I can’t believe we were caught.”

“We’re being sloppy.”

I can’t stop laughing. It hurts, but in a good way, better than the victory after a Heartless attack, better than even seeing my friends again after so long, when I couldn’t stop crying.

Water washes over my feet faster than I can step out of it, my toes sinking like I can be erased in a heartbeat. We all could, at the precipice of Darkness. I could laugh right now, I could mourn tomorrow. The thought chokes me.

“Aqua, are you okay?”

Storm clouds have suffocated everything, dark paint dabbed with a sponge layer after layer so that everything under is hidden. I lean back, but I don’t step away. It’s dark but not Dark, I tell myself. We’re alone, but I’m not. We’re nowhere close to home, but with him, I am. Small reminders for large steps forward.

“It looks like it goes on forever.”

Terra squeezes my hand, and it says so much. He understands. “We’re facing west. Home would be this direction.”

I’ve faced the darkest enemy and survived. I’ve been running—it’s my instinct to—but I don’t have to run anymore.

Yet I don’t know what else I could do with all this energy. I face the black ocean now. I want to do something crazy.

“We could try to find it,” I say.

Terra jerks like he’s about to torpedo himself into the sky. “We’ll fly.”

I swallow. “The ocean looks bottomless.”

“It’s not.”

“I know it isn’t.” I look again. The star isn’t there. “But that doesn’t make sense to me. Dark is dark, kind is kind, and the things that hurt me hide.”

“There’s nothing out there that can hurt you, only whales. And I know for a fact that you’re stronger than any shark I know.”

I pause, a mix of childish giddiness and sudden tears wrestling with each other and I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. “We don’t fight sharks.”

“We don’t.”

“You don’t know any sharks.”

“You’re right.”

My body gives up and I laugh and cry at the same time. “That was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”

Terra wraps his hand on my waist, leaning against my forehead. “I’ve got you. I’m not going to let you fall. Ever again.”

“I know.” I place my hand on the center of his chest. Sometimes lessons are learned too late. Sometimes the consequences are more than what we’ve prepared for. “Let’s fly.”

He summons his Keyblade and commands it to transform into his glider, helping me on with the guidance of his hand. Neither of us want to break contact. His glider isn’t designed to carry two people, the curve of its engine forcing me forward so I lean onto him. His back muscles are well-formed, sturdy under my weight, his waist so thick that I have to grip his shirt to hold on.

When Ven sees us take off, he makes frantic arm movements, grabbing fistfuls of air. It calms the fury of the wind around us, giving Terra a smoother path ahead with mild turbulence. We leave the beach behind, and ride into a world of nothing.

I grip harder into his stomach and contain a meep. Terra slows to a stop. We haven’t gone far.

“I’m okay,” I say onto his neck. It’s quieter out here, without the waves and the trees.

Terra palms a hand over mine, gliding it up to his chest like he wants to feel his heartbeat through both of our hands. It’s hammers, like he’s running away, or towards something.

Or nowhere, really. We’re running just to run, just to remember what it feels like. I kiss the back of his neck, where it meets his shoulder.

“Look,” he says softly. His grip tightens on the handlebar, and he shudders under me. He’s about to cry.

There is one star through the clouds, brushed over in fog. Terra reaches up as if to grab it, measuring our home in the pinch of his fingers.

“To think our beds are small enough to fit,” I say, smiling into him.

Terra takes my hand from his chest and kisses it.

A gust of wind knocks his glider, and he revs it up to stabilize us, holding a solid kick onto the pedals. Ven is either too far away or too tired to keep helping us.

Rain prickles onto us, and starts to build. I tremble. For some reason, I don’t want to go back into the treehouse and sleep it off. I feel cut off, trapped in a bottle where I can’t move.

I look behind me. There are now four heads on that window, four worried faces gawking at the scandal. “The others are awake.”

“Let them have a show.” He turns over and holds me close, taking my lips with his. Again, again, again.

I shiver. He tastes like springwater. I don’t know why I don’t find our predicament threatening. We’re hovering over darkness—but I’ve won against the Darkness. We’ve hovering in a dangerous storm, and yet it seems miniscule. I’m grateful.

“I can make the water dance,” I say.

“I know. That’s why I’m not scared.” He smiles. It’s like he’s asking permission.

I nod. “We wouldn’t be falling.”

“We’d be flying.”

He dismisses his Keyblade. He falls first, relaxed, his arms open like he doesn’t mind landing into the turret of waters, like he’s about to fall on a feather bed.

I call for my Keyblade and let it shine. The rain around us swirls, bursting into bright pellets. Terra catches me with one arm, hooking it around my waist and keeping me close. We twirl like we’re caught in a tornado. We kiss. We laugh, our legs wrapping over each other. The light spreads, tiny pinpricks of asteroids and firecrackers that shower Destiny Islands.

I can’t be crazy. I can’t fall. I’m safe and sound with the earth beneath my feet.

#terraqua #aqua #terra #ventus #kingdom hearts fanfiction #OMG we're finally done #i'm finally done #this has been my life for an entire month i did nothing else haha #my fic

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adventure-hearts · 4 years

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( PART 1: DA + ASTROLOGY )

PART 2: DIGIMON ADVENTURE + MBTI

Taichi - ESTP Yamato - INFP Sora - ENFJ Koushirou - INTJ Mimi - ESFP Jou - ISTJ Takeru - ENFP Hikari - ISFP Daisuke - ESFP Miyako - ENFP Iori - ISTJ Ken - INFJ

Discussion and Commentary below!

If you’ve read some of my previous headcanons about the MBTI, and in particular this very popular post from four (!) years ago, you may find I’ve changed my mind a lot.

An important thing about this typology (or any other one, really) is that it’s quite easy to just look into some websites and make decisions based on the keywords used to describe each type. Which is what I used to do. Keywords are helpful to help us get the “basic picture” (hence why I quote them in this post), but now I believe that you have to read actual theory in order to understand the subtle differences between each type and make more educated guesses.

Since then, I’ve been reading more deeply into MBTI and the Functions. Consequently, the way I understand the MBTI has changed significantly, and so have my Headcanons.

It’s been particularly interesting to learn about the Inferior Function, or the “dark side” of each personality type. The more I read about it, it became surprising that how it seemed to describe most of the adventure kids’ characters arcs incredibly well. This is another reason why the combination Chosen Children + MBTI is such a fascinating and fun thought exercise!

It should be noted that different authors can have widely different interpretations of types, which is why, for the sake of simplicity and coherence, I’ve only read 3-4 main sources when preparing this post. And I tried stay away from popular MBTI websites and resources that exist around the internet, most which can have a slightly misleading/superficial vision of each type.

However, this doesn’t mean my HCs are “RIGHT” or that other people can’t have better ideas. I’m as biased about the characters as anyone else. I’d be very happy to hear alternative takes!

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Taichi - ESTP Dominant function: Se

Flexible and tolerant, they take a pragmatic approach focused on immediate results. Theories and conceptual explanations bore them - they want to act energetically to solve the problem. Focus on the here-and-now, spontaneous, enjoy each moment that they can be active with others. Enjoy material comforts and style. Learn best through doing.

Taichi is pretty easy to type, and most ESTP descriptions fit him nicely. Thompson notes the archetype of ESTP is James Bond and Xena the Warrior Princess; I think the character of Taichi, who represents Courage, fits in the same tradition — a bold, impulsive, adventurous leader who is good at strategizing and is able to make though decisions, but is is also very charismatic and charming. Taichi’s tendency to become thoughtful, introspective, and indecisive under stress can be explained by the inferior function, Ni.

Yamato - INFP Dominant function: Fi

Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.

By contrast, Yamato is always the most difficult to type! I ended up using INFP rather than INFJ, because I think it makes more sense for his dominant function to be Fi (introverted feeling): “Due to the introverted nature of Fi, INFPs’ status as feelers is not always evident from without. When immersed in Fi, they can seem a bit cool, aloof, or indifferent.“ (Drenthe). This type is pretty well representative of Yamato’s caring, passionate and caring side, and especially his conflict during Adventure is beyond, his search for self and meaning. Yamato’s more critical, aggressive, angry, and impetuous side is easily explained by him falling under the influence of the inferior function of this type, Te.

Sora - ENFJ Dominant function: Fe

Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership.

Another character who’s relatively difficult to type. I see Sora as being in the middle of many of the Preference axis, hence why I initially typed her as something pretty difference different. But now I’m pretty convinced her dominant function is Fe, even though she’s probably only 51% Extroverted. She leans more towards iNtuition than Sensing: Sora’s definitely someone who can pick up things intuitively, especially when it comes to human relationships. So, ESFJ could probably work as well, but I see her as more of an NF type than a SJ type. Sora’s tendency to become hypersensitive, stubborn and withdrawn when under stress? That’s the inferior function, Ti.

Koushirou - INTJ Dominant function: Ni

Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance - for themselves and others.

This is an example of how learning more about Functions made me change my mind! I believe Koushirou is the text-book definition of INTJ and the Ni function. Koushirou isn’t just someone who thinks — he creates knew knowledge and connects theoretical possibilities. One of the effects of the inferior function of this type, Ni, is an “Obsessive focus on external data”, which means that they can become obsessed with controlling small details, which is what Koushirou tends to do under stress.

Mimi - ESFP Dominant function: Se

Outgoing, friendly, and accepting. Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts. Enjoy working with others to make things happen. Bring common sense and a realistic approach to their work, and make work fun. Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments. Learn best by trying a new skill with other people.

Mimi is a rather obvious fit for this type, not only with her bubbly and happy exterior, but also her naïveté and compassion towards others (Crest of Purity).

Jou - ISTJ Dominant function: Si

Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Decide logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized - their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.

Jou’s type seems pretty straightforward. The characteristics of this type to fit him (and the Crest of Honesty) very well. The inferior Function of this type is Ni, manifested as impulsiveness and catastrophizing — classic Jou moves whenever he looses his cool.

Takeru - ENFP Dominant function: Ne

Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency.

Takeru is REALLY hard to type. Mostly because, just like his brother, he isn’t as transparent as he seems. Behind that charming, open, happy façade, Takeru runs deep. I ended up choosing ENFP is described as the most optimistic of all types (Crest of Hope), and they are very charismatic and inspiring as well. The “dark side” of this type can be hopelessness or depression (see also: tri. Chapter 3!)

Hikari - ISFP Dominant function: Fi

Quiet, friendly, sensitive, and kind. Enjoy the present moment, what's going on around them. Like to have their own space and to work within their own time frame. Loyal and committed to their values and to people who are important to them. Dislike disagreements and conflicts, do not force their opinions or values on others.

Hiakri is another one whose type isn’t obvious, but maybe for different reasons than the other characters I hesitated about — we just don’t see enough of her. I think you can make a strong argument for her being an Intuitive type, but ultimately I think Fi represents her better.

Daisuke - ESFP Dominant function: Se

I know it’s reductive to say Daisuke and Taichi have different personality type, but that’s easy to understand if you see them as being in different stages of type development.

Miyako - ENFP Dominant function: Ne

I’ve always thought Takeru and Miyako are pretty alike, hence why I think they would both fit this type.

Iori - ISTJ Dominant function: Si

Again, Iori and Jou are pretty alike, although at different stages of their personality development. I could see Iori a ISTP/ISTJ, too — to be fair, I haven’t made up my mind totally about him.

Ken - INFJ Dominant function: Ni

Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.

I’m just going to go and give Ken INFJ, although I’m not entirely sure it is the best fit. Ken is incredibly complex, but Ni seems to describe him fairly well. And certainly, the “dark side” of Ni, Se, can very well explain why Ken developed his Digimon Kaiser persona.

BONUS

A brief summary of the 8 Functions:

Introverted Intuition (Ni) collects conscious and subconscious information, and then synthesizes it to produce convergent impressions, insights, answers, and theories. It sees deep causes, patterns, and laws underlying sense data. It is characteristically penetrating and insightful.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) surveys and creatively recombines a breadth of ideas, associations, patterns, and possibilities. It is characteristically innovative, divergent, open-ended, and non-discriminating. Outwardly, Ne users may present as scattered, random, quirky, witty, and ideationally curious.

Introverted Sensing (Si) retains, consolidates, and recollects historical and autobiographical information. It attends to and draws on a concentrated body of past experiences, routines, and traditions (i.e., the “tried and true”). It forgoes the constant pursuit of new or broad experiences, finding safety and security in stability and consistency. It also surveys inner bodily sensations.

Extraverted Sensing (Se) seeks extensive outer stimulation in the “here and now”—new sights, sounds, tastes, experiences, etc. It is open-ended and non-discriminating with respect to new experiences. It can also be associated with image-consciousness and observation skills, displaying a keen eye for detail. Outwardly, it may manifest as a recurrent desire for activities beyond talking (“Let’s do something!”).

“Introverted Intuition (Ni) collects conscious and subconscious information, and then synthesizes it to produce convergent impressions, insights, answers, and theories. It sees deep causes, patterns, and laws underlying sense data. It is characteristically penetrating and insightful.

“Introverted Thinking (Ti) utilizes deep and nuanced logic to examine techniques, problems, concepts, or theories. It seeks self-regulation and self-optimization through the development of personal skills, methods, and strategies. It takes a skeptical and reductive approach toward knowledge.

Extraverted Thinking (Te) uses explicit logic, including standardized methods, measurements, policies, and procedures, to make systems and operations more rational, efficient, or effective. This often involves working as part of an institution, be it corporate, scientific, academic, etc. Outwardly, Te delivers opinions and directives in a firm, direct, measured, and unemotional fashion. It may at times be perceived as harsh, tactless, or unsympathetic.”

“Introverted Feeling (Fi) explores and refines personal tastes and feelings, contributing to a strong sense of personal uniqueness. It is self-regulating and self-controlling, working to maintain inner emotional and moral order. It may also emotionally invest in a limited number of love objects, be they persons, animals, hobbies, or causes.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) surveys a breadth of human emotions, values, and morals. It strives toward interpersonal rapport, consensus, and continuity. It can also be associated with effective communication and social intelligence, facilitating growth and transformation in others. Outwardly, it delivers opinions and directives in a direct yet tactful way, often with a sense of emotional urgency and conviction.

in My True Type, A.J. Drenth

MBTI RESOURCES

A.J. Drenth. “My True Type”

Lenore Thomson. “Personality Type”.

A.J. Drenth. “The 16 Personality Types”.

The 16 MBTI® Types https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.htm

Naomi Quenk, “Was That Really Me?”

#series: typing the chosen #digimon #headcanons #personality types #mbti #sorry but Tumblr formatting is a MESS;;;; I hope it's more readable now!

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metalandmagi · 5 years

Text

Fall 2019 Anime Worth Watching

Wondering what anime to watch now that the jam packed summer season is over? Never fear, we’re into the fall, and there’s even more great shows this season! It’s my last rec list of the year so we’re in the home stretch now!

Full disclaimer, this season is packed with great shows, but a lot of these are not available on Crunchyroll...so here’s a link to a list of where you can watch everything legally on streaming! And I’ll but an (*) by everything that IS on Crunchyroll.

And here’s my recs for every season this year:

Summer 2019

Spring 2019

Winter 2019

And here’s my master list for 2020

New shows!

Chuubyou Gekihatsu-Boy (Outburst Dreamer Boy): A comedy in which a normal girl just wants a peaceful high school life, but finds herself surrounded by a group of ridiculous, overly dramatic boys who are all part of the “hero club” who try to make her school life better by helping her make friends. This is all well and good, but all the boys are delusional in one way or another. For example, one thinks he and his friends are basically Power Rangers, and another is obsessed with fabricating dramatic fake anime backstories for himself. It’s Ouran High School Host Club without the hosting. It’s absolutely hilarious, but it’s really flying under the radar because it’s not on Crunchyroll.

Kabukichou Sherlock: A surprisingly comedic modern version of Sherlock Holmes that takes place in the seedier portions of Japan in which a bunch of the city’s quirky detectives try and hunt down Jack the Ripper. I was not expecting this to be nearly as good as it was. The characters are great, Mrs. Hudson is a transvestite cabaret singer, the soundtrack is bomb, it’s an original anime by Production I.G. AND SHERLOCK EXPLAINS HIS DETECTIVE PROCESS THROUGH MYSTERY SOLVING RAKUGO!!!!

Babylon: NO, NOT FATE BABYLONIA! This is a mystery/thriller involving a case of illegal clinical research for a pharmaceutical company that leads down a rabbit hole full of murder, suicide, and political intrigue. IT’S LIKE DEATH NOTE AND MONSTER HAD A BABY AND IT’S FREAKING AMAZING! I haven’t been this interested in a mystery/crime anime since Erased. The first episode will definitely leave you...hanging…. The only problem is it’s not on Crunchyroll, so I have a feeling most people won’t know about it because it’s on freaking Amazon Prime!

Hoshiai no Sora (Stars Align): A coming of age sports anime in which a boys soft tennis team sucks so bad that the school will disband them if they don’t win a tournament. And the team captain is so desperate for serious members, he literally pays his childhood friend who recently moved back into town to play on the team. And said childhood friend has an incredibly interesting backstory and struggling family life that ropes you in right away. How is soft tennis different from regular tennis? No clue, but this show is awesome! You can tell by the first episode it is going to be a great coming of age story, with more mature themes of abuse and class difference.

And it’s not the only sports anime with Sora in the title...

*Ahiru no Sora (Sora the Duck): Another sports anime, in which a short, spikey haired boy wants to play basketball (yeah yeah very original) but discovers that his high school basketball team is full of punks! It’s basically what would happen if Izuku Midoriya wanted to be a basketball player. The first few minutes are basically every sports anime you’ve ever seen, BUT it really lives up to its potential by the end of the first episode. It has a likable protagonist, good animation, and the female characters all wear realistic clothes to play basketball in! If you’re a piece of sports anime trash like me, this is definitely the show for you!

No Gun Life: In a detective noir world where everyone has basically become a cyborg, a guy with a gun for a head works to uncover the plans of an evil organization. That’s it, that’s the whole thing. It’s made by Madhouse AND IT’S A CYBORG WITH A GUN FOR A HEAD! What else do you need?!

Beastars: IT’S JUST ANIME ZOOTOPIA! I’m not even kidding. It’s a school based mystery involving anthropomorphic animals who are faced with the murder of one of their classmates and the disruption of the peaceful coexistence of all types of animals in the school. It involves the whole predator vs prey dynamic and how appearances are deceiving, all with a jarringly serious tone considering everyone’s an animal. The only thing that doesn’t sit right with me is the use of 3D animation...which I notoriously despise no matter how great the show is. But even I am willing to put aside my hatred to keep watching this anime. The characters are interesting, it’s shot really creatively, and I love how ridiculously seriously it takes itself. Apparently it’s going to be on Netflix at some point.

*Shin Chuuka Ichiban (True Cooking Master Boy): It’s Food Wars’ less porny sibling that takes place in 19th century China, where a young boy named Mao is a master chef who travels around spreading his love for cooking! This is a reboot/continuation of an anime based on a manga from the 90s so there’s a really fun retro art style that’s nice to see updated. Apparently it picks up in the middle of the original story, but I haven’t felt like it’s necessary to see the source material to enjoy it or understand it. Also the soundtrack is bomb! It’s a great shounen to watch if you want more cross-cultural cooking anime that’s not straight up porn in your life, and it will definitely make you hungry!

Next seasons and Continuations!

And don’t forget the summer leftovers, and some shows are getting continuations!

*Chihayafuru season 3: This is an incredibly fantastic underrated sports/club anime about a girl named Chihaya who struggles to find members for her karuta club after her best friend who made her fall in love with the game moves away. Never heard of “karuta”? It’s a physically and mentally challenging traditional Japanese game involving 100 poems written on cards that the players must memorize and locate before their opponent….it makes more sense when you see it I promise. This show is goddamn amazing, with incredibly realistic characters, an amazing game that most people don’t know about, gorgeous animation. It’s hilarious, it’s dramatic, it’s sad, and it’s uplifting all at once.

This doesn’t premier until October 23, (so you’ve got time to binge the first 2 seasons!) but this is by far my most anticipated show of the season and quite possibly the entire year! I’VE BEEN WAITING SO MANY YEARS FOR ANOTHER SEASON, AND I’M SO PSYCHED!

Kono Oto Tomare (Stop this Sound) season 2: Speaking of club related anime, in case you missed the first season earlier this year, this is an anime about a boy who tries to recruit members for his high school koto club after all his senpais graduate. What’s a koto club you ask? It’s a large Japanese string instrument that no one cares about or plays anymore of course! Their club is endearingly terrible, with literally only one competent person on the team, but they’re aiming for nationals anyway, because...of course they are. This show seems pretty textbook at first, but it really grows on you the further you get. There are great character dynamics, it’s fun, it’s sweet, and there’s cool music that people don’t hear a lot of! If you like sports or club focused anime, give this one a chance!

*Dr. Stone: An action adventure in which all of humanity is mysteriously turned to stone one day. When a genius high school boy named Senku and his….not so genius friend Taiju awaken 3,700 years in the future, the two must rebuild civilization and turn the world back to normal with the power of science! I know pretty much everyone is watching this already, but I just want to reiterate how amazing it is. It is mysterious, educational, hilarious, and it really makes you think about civilization as we know it today. It was one of the best (if not the best) new show of the summer, and I’m so glad it’s getting a full run!

Vinland Saga: THE VIKING ANIME IS GETTING A FULL RUN!!!!!!!! In case you missed this gem in the summer, it’s a historical drama about a young boy named Thorfinn and his journey to avenge his father’s death and become a great warrior. And it’s all while traveling with his enemies through Northern Europe. It’s a fantastic dark, realistic story in a historical setting that filled the void left by Dororo. Plus it’s animated by Wit, so it looks beautiful. The music is great, the characters are intriguing, the story is interesting, AND IT HAS AN AMAZING ANTAGONIST! It has hype written all over it, so I’m pumped for the rest of the season! Unfortunately, you can only find it legally on Amazon Prime, so that’s why no one’s watching it.

*Fire Force: The (unfortunately timed) action/drama where fire fighters with super powers must protect Tokyo from people who are spontaneously combusting and uncover the evil rooted within their own organization. It’s made by the same person who created Soul Eater, and it definitely shows. The animation is high flying and out of this world. It’s worth watching for the action alone. But be warned, the plot and characters are it’s biggest weakness. It will jump between gratuitous fanservice and hijinks and then rocket into moral dilemmas and disturbing situations with no warning. BUT I still like watching it for the action, and in these later episodes the plot has steered itself back on track a lot more, and I’m way more interested in where the story is going now. I’m hoping that means the second half will give us a better sense of the characters. It also has a top tier muscular waifu!

*My Hero Academia season 4: I’m sure everyone’s already going to be watching MHA, but I guess I’d have my anime fan badge revoked if I didn’t at least mention this one. I may not read the manga, but I know this arc is going to be a good one! I firmly believe this will be a modern classic, so if you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s really worth watching.

And that’s it for this season. I’ll probably do a list at the end of the year of my top shows of 2019, but otherwise, see you in the winter of 2020!

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bluerosesburnblue · 5 years

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Yeah. I just like to give a benefit of a doubt (and like you said. KH doesn't always have the best writing). But I'd also say you're probably not wrong. There's a surprising amount of old people who have caused a lot of problems or have questionable worldviews (Yensid. Eraqus. Xehanort. Mickey. Ansem. MOM ect. Adults are shifty in KH. Except you Donald, Goofy, Leon, Cid, Tifa, Aerith, Sully and Mike ect. You guys are cool). What you said got me thinking. The MoM was really the one who created-

entire system for Keyblade weilders: Bequethings. Rigid traditions. Strict views. No questioning what has been passed down. This system has had quite the impact on Keyblade wielders. Not a lot of it good. Eraqus got easily manipulated into letting Xehanort rig the test to fail Terra. Then later tried to murder Ven and hurt Terra. All because of his inability to confront darkness in other people w/o resorting to violence. Aqua was also guilty of this when she was going to go after the evil -

family in Cinderella all because she sensed darkness in them. For all she knew they could have been good people struggling w/something like Terra (they weren’t but that’s not the point). She wasn’t trying to be malicious but I definitely believe she was acting in a way she thought Eraqus would. I also think they all relied so much on the system (instead of critical thinking and their hearts) that when it didn’t provide a good answer they failed each other and themselves until it was too late.-

the Keyblade wielders from the past don’t seem to be doing any better. They keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. Instead of forging their own path and trying to figure out what’s right, the Foretellers keep clinging to the MoM who abandoned them after giving them separate jobs in secrecy. Their devotion and inability to think for themselves or for the children who looked up to them caused so much death and destruction. I doubt the Dandelion leaders will even be able to fix things -

as much as they hope to (I guess nobody really learned my your heart be your guiding key back then except for the rare few). Basically we’ve seen how the MoM created system has either always been detrimental or got warped (not that he cared). Masters Mickey, Aqua and Riku aren’t anymore capable then Sora is. In fact I think they still have a lot of issues. Mickey’s guilt. Riku’s blindness. Aqua’s ptsd and loner streak. The only time the day has been completely saved was when the dull ordinary-

Keyblade weilder unlike any other (aka Sora) came rushing in to break all expectations and traditions of how things should go and instead does what needs to be done. Sora is the one big Keyblade players who doesn’t fall into the need to conform to the MoM system. Even Riku got a bit influence by it when he received the Master title. The Foretellers represent the old broken ways that have no mercy w/shallow views of worth. Sora represents the merciful loving way that can lead all into the light

Just to be clear, I don’t think that Yen Sid is actively malevolent at all. I just think that he’s not as smart or wise as everyone makes him out to be, is a horrible teacher, and is honestly kinda lazy. He’s not sitting there going “Haha! How can I ruin this child’s life!” but he is overestimated by pretty much all of the major protagonists because he’s an old, mysterious wizard who used to be pretty good with a key-sword

And yeah, that’s what I’ve been getting at with the MoM vs. Sora stuff! How MoM made the traditions that people have been using for at least a century but almost must be longer, and how Sora flies in the face of all of them

The Master set up a system designed for him to manipulate. A strict Light-Good-Darkness-Bad dogma, a chain of command where the apprentice must be completely subservient to the master, and a no-questions mentality. Now, maybe he just did it to make his plan for his own six apprentices work, but given how we see him talking to YMX in Re:Mind I get the sense that the longevity of these traditions is exactly what he intended. It would make manipulating further and further down the chain that much easier. He passed these ideas on to his apprentices, who passed it on to the millions of theirs, who would continue passing it on even when almost all of them were wiped out. The Union Leaders have a strict rulebook for crying out loud!

And I think even the mantra of “may your heart be your guiding key” could be designed to manipulate. After all, wouldn’t most people’s hearts tell them to do what their master asked of them? If you truly loved your master, wouldn’t your heart guide you into acting in a way that you believe would make them proud and please them? It certainly seemed that way with the Foretellers

And that’s where Sora gets interesting. He’s self-taught. He has no notion of any kind of structure among Keyblade Wielders because for a while he thought he was the last one left and even once he’s proven wrong… the last known people enforcing the structure are dead (Eraqus), literally trying to destroy the world (Xehanort), retired and scooting around the universe avoiding all human contact (Yen Sid), and zipping around the universe trying to find other ways to help (Mickey). When Sora hears “may your heart be your guiding key” he has no real master to impress. His desires are simple: protect those he loves. So that’s exactly where his heart leads

And you would expect Riku to break it as well given his Dark streak… until you remember that Riku’s been traveling in close contact with Mickey since Chain of Memories. Mickey’s practically Riku’s Master, even though it was Mickey’s Master who did their Mark of Mastery. Yen Sid passed the tradition onto Mickey, and Riku would probably be getting them from him. The only thing that they ever did was come to the joint conclusion that Actually Darkness Can Be Good Sometimes, but they never reevaluated the rest of the tradition

And I love His Royal Highness Michael Theodore Mouse as much as the next person, but he’s not immune to slipping back into the old ways. I mean, how could he with such a strict teacher anyway?

The tradition vs. innovation theme is one that I really hope they explore in the next arc and really treat with respect. Because the first seven Keyblade Wielders returning to face off against the Universe’s Biggest Unchosen One is just too good of a thread to ignore

#anon you are sending me these way faster than i can reasonably reply to them #yen sid would be such a mood if he wasn't so incompetent #like i'd retire to the mysterious tower but also if an old friend was starting shit then i'd get up and fix it #and then go right back to my tower in the middle of fucking space #anon asks #liz answers

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nadziejastar · 5 years

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(Sorry if this has already been asked!) Your opinion on Eraqus? (Think he's a bit of a zealot myself)

Vanitas can feel some of what Ventus feels, and he says Terra is the key. Ventus has loved Terra like a real brother ever since he let him keep his old wooden Keyblade.

Nope. Haven’t been asked.Yes, I agree. Judging by the way BBS was written, Eraqus was intended to come across as a bit of a zealot. The relationship between Terra and Eraqus was always one of the most interesting things to me in BBS. It’s one of the relationships that had the most impact on me, because it wasn’t black-and-white (no pun intended). And because the role of most characters’ parents never mattered much in this series. We never learned anything about Sora’s parents for instance.

Ven longed for a brother figure more than anything. The day his light returned was the day Terra gave him the wooden Keyblade. And Terra was the loose thread in his heart. While Aqua and Ventus’ main priority was always their friend trio, Terra seemed to take it for granted most of the time—at least at first. What he longed for more than anything was a father’s love. I don’t know what the situation was with Terra’s father, but he clearly didn’t have a biological dad in his life. And it seemed like that was the root of his issues.

My brother pupil Eraqus thinks only in absolutes. He has persuaded himself that light is the only way, but forgets that light cannot exist without shadow. I believe a balance of light and darkness is what sustains our World, but too much of the darkness has been stamped out, disrupting that balance. Someone must tear down this tyranny of light and reorganize the World around the darkness which then creeps back in.

When Eraqus was younger, he didn’t seem like he was super serious or rigid in his thinking. He was more playful than Xehanort was, anyway. So, I think his rigidity was due to his upbringing. He was taught to think in absolutes, and that he had a duty to maintain balance in the world. That’s a lot of pressure.

Upon reflection, my life underwent the most considerable sea-change when I arrived at that place. Yes, it began when I found a Master, and another I would later call my brother—when I found a new home.

Also, I think the trauma of Xehanort’s betrayal played a major role in his paranoia, too.

And on the topic of darkness: we must speak of another matter that concerns me, one related to the upcoming ceremony. When I visited several years ago, your pupil Terra drew my attention. His power is immense, to be sure, but within his heart I could see darkness just waiting to be awakened. I know this is none of my business, but I have reservations about welcoming Terra as a true Keyblade Master without taking certain precautions. The traditional examination, perhaps, to see if he has the Mark of Mastery? The choice is yours, and I will humbly respect your decision.Take care. I eagerly await our long overdue reunion.

Xehanort was like a brother to him. To have someone he considered a brother turn around and betray him—I’m sure that influenced his opinions on darkness. He didn’t think Terra could fall to darkness because he was such a bad person with dark inclinations. He would have passed the test if Xehanort didn’t interfere.

“Not your concern.”

With those parting words, Xehanort strode away. Eraqus slammed a fist into the floor as he watched him go.

Why did I fail to stop him?

Is it my fault?

Where did I go wrong?

Is the darkness itself what beguiled him so?

Must this plague steal my dear friend from me?

Eraqus’ personal experience taught him that darkness can take anyone at any time, no matter how normal and innocent they seem. And Xehanort was not named successor, while he was. Aqua was the successor, while Terra failed. In his mind, that might lead someone to darkness. Eraqus also grew up believing that he has to put aside his personal feelings to protect the world. That’s a lot of pressure on a person, and it made me feel sorry for him. He never felt free to listen to his heart. I wish we got to learn more about his past.

I had not visited this second home of mine for some time, and discovered Eraqus had already found two pupils of his own. Within one of them, Terra, I sensed something. The boy, though well-intentioned, seeks power single-mindedly. And that kind of hunger is a seedbed for darkness.I had found my vessel.

But yeah, I definitely think that Eraqus was the reason Terra was predisposed to darkness. He taught Terra to fear darkness and not show any weakness, otherwise it’ll corrupt you. When Terra was possessed by Maleficent, Eraqus was the personification of his darkness. Disappointing his master was the reason he was so afraid of losing. He lived in constant fear of being a failure. I don’t think Eraqus had any idea he felt that way, though. He didn’t express his love to Terra as openly as he probably would have wanted to, because Xehanort had hurt him so badly in the past. It made it difficult for him to be as affectionate and easygoing as he was when he was younger.

“You’re quite the picky eater, Terra.” Master Eraqus gave his student a light pat on the back as he approached.

“…It’s only sweet stuff that I’m not into. How come you, Aqua, and Ven are so crazy about it?”

“I could turn the question back on you and ask why you aren’t,” Master Eraqus retorted with a smile, then strolled over to the dining hall with a spring in his step.

Terra started after him, a little gloomy.

Eraqus definitely had a special relationship with Terra, so he must have thought his love was obvious. I could tell that he was closer to him than Aqua or Ven. I think Eraqus could relate to Terra in a way he couldn’t with anyone else. Terra had no father and was so eager to please him. And Eraqus had lost Xehanort, who was like a brother to him. He was probably eager to have another person he loved as a family member. He loved Aqua and Ven, too. And it’s not like he wanted to destroy Ven or anything. But…he cried when he thought he would have to destroy Terra.

Eraqus: You must know, I care for you like my own son. If I could have my way, I would name you Master in a second. But, how can I, when you are so obsessed with power? Terra, you mustn’t be afraid of losing. Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons the darkness. You must never forget.

Terra: Thank you, Master. I swear…I will not fail you again.

He absolutely thought of him as a son. He had been around him for a lot longer than Ventus (not sure about Aqua). I got the sense that he’s been in Terra’s life for a pretty long time. But I still got the impression that Eraqus didn’t raise Terra from childhood or anything.

Eraqus: No, you were right. I failed you, Terra. Perhaps I’ve no one to blame but myself for the darkness inside you. And now I’ve done worse–raised my Keyblade against you and Ventus. My own heart is darkness!

Terra didn’t call Eraqus his father until after he died. I could tell that was a HUGE step for Terra to take. I doubt he ever called Eraqus his father when he was alive. Terra was never too sure up until that point if Eraqus truly loved him. He felt insecure and almost seemed to have abandonment issues. It’s common in people who grow up without either parent. Older children especially will have a very hard time trusting parental figures, like foster parents, for instance.

Terra: No… I succumbed to it. Just like when I stole Princess Aurora’s heart of light. I can never return home now. I’m a failure.

It’s why I would always feel kinda defensive of Terra when I would see people bash him and call him stupid or naive, for trusting the villains like Xehanort too quickly. He seemed to get a lot of undeserved hate from the fandom. It’s true that he didn’t always make good decisions. But…that’s what happens to most young people who are orphaned or abandoned by a parent. They act irrationally at times because they don’t feel lovable, and they don’t feel safe in the world.

Growing up in the world without parents is tough. It’s why Terra was one of the characters I personally related to the most (after Lea and Isa). Lea lost his childhood and was pretty much alone in the world. He latched on to Roxas and Xion because they provided him comfort and emotional security—something he lacked. Terra latched on to Xehanort because he was desperate for approval from an adult figure. He was Ven’s protector, but he longed to feel protected himself.

Yen Sid: To arrive at the truth, perhaps you should approach things differently��first consider them one and the same problem.

Terra: Master Xehanort and the Unversed are connected somehow?

Yen Sid: I must not make assumptions… Find Xehanort, Terra. That is where you should begin.

Terra: Yes, sir.

He didn’t automatically trust the villains, either. He just wanted to give everyone a chance and tried to not judge by appearances. Yes, the audience can tell that Xehanort is evil. But to Terra, he was Eraqus’ best childhood friend and a respected Master. Nobody told him all the bad things Xehanort had done previously.

“Master Xehanort—I have been to other worlds. I know all about the things you’ve done. I just don’t understand why.”

Though Terra started in with the questions immediately, Master Xehanort shook his head quietly. Now then, how best to guide Terra into becoming his vessel?

The fierce light in Terra’s heart also empowered the darkness within him. The stronger the light, the deeper the shadow, and that would be Terra’s path into the darkness.

Master Xehanort would play the part of a contrite old man with regrets in the past. Exactly like this foolish boy who only believed he stole Princess Aurora’s heart, and never stopped to question the source of his anguish.

It was Terra’s light—his kindness and sincerity—that made him a good candidate for darkness. The stronger the light, the deeper the shadow. Maybe the same principle was at play with Isa as a Seeker of Darkness. Maybe Isa’s strong light in the face of darkness was another reason Xehanort took an interest in him as a vessel.

Terra’s kindness—the intensity of his light—led him to seek strength. Before long, that fixation would beget darkness in his heart. Thus, Master Xehanort’s vessel was chosen.

“Master Xehanort…Ventus has gotten a lot better since then. You shouldn’t blame yourself for trying to save him,” Terra offered.

Master Xehanort looked up. “Well…Thank you, lad. You know how to put an old man’s heart at ease.”

The sincerity of this oh-so-thoughtful boy was plain on his face. Master Xehanort would need to usher him along slowly if he wanted to change that sincerity to agony and stain it with darkness.

Xehanort was grooming Terra.

“The Unversed!” Terra gasped. He wasn’t slow on the uptake; his light just prevented him from seeing lies for what they were.

“He has no control over the darkness in his heart. The Keyblade is not his to bear. He’s an abomination beyond hope of salvation. Lend me your strength, Terra. Right this wrong that I have wrought.”

Master Xehanort shook his head, playing up his grief. He knew Terra would never refuse the plea of a foolish old man, and that was why he wove bits of the truth into his false tale.

“But I have no idea where to find him,” Terra muttered, contemplating. He was so amusingly ensnared now, and Master Xehanort kept up the pressure.

It’s why I was very disappointed that Eraqus just hijacked Terra’s body as soon as he went to confront Xehanort. I wanted to hear what he had to say to the man who possessed him for 10 years and plunged him into darkness and sleep. Sure, I think Eraqus and Xehanort needed closure and deserved a moment to themselves. But, Terra needed closure as well. He was horrifically abused by Xehanort. But because the full story was never even told after BBSV2 was cancelled, Eraqus’ immediate forgiveness of Xehanort felt totally out of nowhere.

And maybe Terra’s perspective on Xehanort was something BBSV2 was supposed to delve into more, so his confrontation was just left out (much like Riku and Terra’s relationship). The entire scene honestly left a poor taste in my mouth. Because we never saw their past, it came across like Eraqus cared more about Xehanort than the children whose lives he destroyed. I actually felt really bad for Terra, Aqua, and Ven who had to watch Eraqus warmly embrace the man who sadistically abused them, while Eraqus’ reunion with them felt more lukewarm in comparison. I didn’t feel closure with ANY of these relationships. Not Eraqus/Xehanort, Terra/Xehanort, Eraqus/Terra, or Eraqus/Ven & Aqua.

#kh meta #kh eraqus #kh terra #kh xehanort

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thatfairyfangirl · 5 years

Text

Written In The Stars Chapter 10

Legolas’s eyes widened as he watched his heart's desire step from the caravan in a dress barely there. He had spent so long fighting by her side, seeing her covered in dirt and blood he nearly forgot under all that grit and leather armor there was the woman who loved the stars. As he found his breath he stepped closer, finding how the star and firelight danced in the darkness of her eyes to be the most perfect sight he’s seen in a thousand years. She smiled almost timidly as she looked up to the elf...her elf, giving him a little spin to show off for him. Tonight was the night, he was finally ready to tell her how he felt. His lips opened to grab her attention when he was suddenly cut off by someone calling out in her native tongue, one he never had chance to learn. “Sora! Steaua mea frumoasa!” (Sister! My beautiful star!l) He turned to find one of the men in the camp with long dark hair a stubble beard and dark wild eyes. He watched as all of his princess lit up with joy as she ran from her wagon into his arms.

“Danior!” She replied as he lifted her, the brightness on his face matching hers as he spun her around kissing her cheek lightly. Legolas’s eyes closed as he felt the wind leave his body, never before had he seen such love and devotion than in the way Danior and Steluta held each other. The mass of Song Masters began lighting celebratory bonfires, the light of which catching the golden moon shaped crown atop his head as he reached into a bag, pulling out a silver and crystal star. With a smile so golden and pure she lowered herself so that he could place the symbol of royalty back on her brow where it belonged. And how she missed the fine bitter chill of the metal against her skin, finally after so long she felt like the princess she was once more, even if it might only be for a night...such a trinket had no business on such a quest and she had the sense enough to know it. Shattered Legolas moved listlessly inside to see what his other friends were up to, where he soon found Gimli readying for a drinking game.

“I don’t think I like how that tree dwelling knife ear was looking at you little sister.” Danior growled as he set his sister down, brushing her hair back lightly.

“Stop Danior...he’s not like the others...he’s my friend.” She smiled as she took her brother’s hand, “Legolas,” She called out as she spun to find that her elf had gone, her smile fading at his absence.

~ ~ ~ ~

The sound of drums and happy cheers just outside the hall caught Legolas's ears as he set down the mug. He curled his fingers looking down to them, intrigued by the tingle in them the drink provided until the night air brushed over his skin. He looked up to the caravan wagons around a fire,. Women danced around the fire barely clothed as the men played. Off just at the edge of the fire’s light he could see jugglers and tumblers practicing their craft, it looked more like a carnival show than a victory celebration to him. Legolas’s arms folded over his chest as he watched, finding a passionate grace in the movements all the performers held as a soft smile crept over his lips as he listened to the energetic song they played as many of the Rohan men wandered outside to watch the celebration of the wandering people, called to the fire's glow by the sound of a woman's voice surrounded by revelry. He soon found himself following in the crowd, drawn into the music, entranced by the dancing. The smile faded, however, when he spotted Danior among the men beating drums as he watched Stuluta turn, seeing her face past the flame...well then… this was not something he was prepared for...he knew she was gifted with a flute...he didn’t expect her to know how to dance as well.

https://youtu.be/aTdSm4Rn1XA

“Mandalay! Mandalay!” The road people cried, signalling all the dancers but the princess to disperse as Legolas’s ears twitched with curiosity at the familiar word. His thoughts raced back to the day on the river once more. His eyes scanned the crowd looking for answers until he found one of the older dancers.

“Excuse me?” He asked politely as he reached out to tap the sunkissed golden haired queen, very unaware of who she was. “What is Mandalay?” the elf asked with an ever growing curiousness in his voice.

She looked to the elf, surprised the Mirkwood prince was so different in temperament from his father. She remembered a time when the king turned her people away and now here was his son asking to learn about them. “Mandalay is our promised land. Where one day the road will end. But what they call for now is a song and dance sacred to our people, and one of our favorite ways to celebrate victory. Tradition states when the royal family is present only they may perform it as they are the ones who lead the search.” She answered before coming forward. As she stepped into the light of the flame Legolas could see just how similar she looked to the princess, obviously her mother. “Mandalay!” She answered the crowd. He watched Steluta smile as she positioned herself, her eyes falling on the fair skin of the elf glowing in the embers of the flame like a fallen star walking among them. He could almost swear she was smiling at him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubeh8aUpsDo

His eyes softened as he watched her move, feeling his heart tug at itself as he watched her grace mix with her pride into something more lovely than anything he’d seen in all his years. His eyes wandered over every inch of the princess as she moved around the flame, her body twisting and turning in ways he didn’t think could happen. Everything about it was so different from the elves, filled with passion and feeling but still just as graceful as anything from his people could ever hope to be. Eyes fixed on each other but gazes never meeting for fear of the other. “Vanimelda…” he muttered under his breath, hoping it would never end before the strong hand of Aragorn came to clamp down on his shoulders.

“Vanimelda? Surely you can not be speaking of Steluta.” He teased. “Never did I think I’d see the day you call her beautiful.” Her smile grew soft, heart skipped a beat as she heard him speak. Deep in the back of her mind she began to think on the premonition that was thrust on her at the beginning of this quest as she took her bow. “Now where will I be without your bickering?” He added with a chuckle, patting his friend’s shoulder lightly.

“What?” She watched the two as Legolas’s eyes grew wide, addressing his mortal friend. “No...The song...the dance…” Legolas shook his head sputtering out a laugh to mask his growing admiration , shielding his elvish pride from the possible sting of rejection in her harsh words. For though he found them endeering they still showed him just how unlikely his feelings being reciprocated would ever be… especially now that he's seen her with that man she seemed to care so much for. How could he admit it now? “Not Steluta herself…” He laughed again as she looked up to him, her eyes hardening as his words stung deep. “Could you imagine,” He laughed as she stood upright, hee arms folding over her chest heaving in anger, “Elf and Mandalay could never work. Where would we call home?”

“You pointy eared string pullers are the same! Just because we have no castle walls my blood isn’t royal enough for you?” Her eyes glowed with a fiery anger, more at herself for thinking such a union might actually be possible. “Esti atat de frumos ca te urasc! De ce trebuie sa te iubesc?!” (I hate you are so beautiful! Why must I be in love with you?!) She spurted out in her people’s language, her words like poison on his ears. How glad she was that he didn’t know the language..at least she finally got it off her chest. With a grunt of frustration she pushed the elf to the side with as much force as she could muster, hoping to hurt him as he just hurt her before storming off.

His eyes widened not really sure what to do now, but knowing he must fix it. “Ninmirel! Wait! I-” His words stopped in his throat as he watched her hair and skirt spin before fiery eyes looked upon him. He found her distaste for him so obvious in that look...But for the sake of the fellowship...for Middle earth he knew he had to say something now. Then it dawned on him...his eyes narrowed as he stepped forward until she could feel his breath on her face. His eyes were like daggers as he looked down into hers. “Pedin i phith in aniron, a nin u-cheniathog. Si, melda heri, lle naa vanima. Lle naa belegghotar, a gin melathon an-uir.”(I know you can’t understand this. So, my lady, you are beautiful. You are a mighty warrior and you have my love for all time.) He knew she didn’t understand him...he was counting on it as he spoke with anger in his voice to mask the intention of his words.

Aragorn looked between the two of them, fully understanding all that had just transpired as he held a hand to his lips holding in a laugh. “You shut up.” The reluctant pair said to him in unison before both storming off.

Steluta entered the hall, pausing as she spotted Gimli on the floor, still passed out from drinking too much. She gave him a half smile as she reached down to pat his head, something she was sure he would never let her do if he were awake. “Steluta! Steluta!” two little voices called out from behind. With a half hearted smile she spun, lowering herself to eye level with the two hobbits. “We saw your dance,” Merry started with a proud smile.

“It was very pretty.” Pippin finished.

“Well thank you.” She smiled, genuinely touched by the small sweet halflings. “It is a dance very special to my people. It reminds us that one day we will be home again.”

“Oh we have one of those too.” Pip announced with a smile.

“We do?” Merry asked, not quite sure what he was going on about.

“Aye, the Green Dragon!” She couldn't help but laugh at the two.

“I don't think that's quite the same Pip.” Merry half scolded

“Well, it reminds me of the Shire.” He argued innocently.

“Then I would love to see it. Will you show me?”

They both looked to each other with a nod before climbing on a table grabbing two mugs of ale.

https://youtu.be/_Gf39-AZ5bg

Her face lit with joy and laughter as she clapped along to the song. To most it may not seem like much but she could see the love for their hometown in their hearts with every word and step...she could see to them it meant the world. And that was what made it something special.

~ ~ ~ ~

Late in the night Aragorn moved through the great hall, finding Legolas on the balcony overlooking the sleeping caravan below. He followed the elf’s gaze to the princess moving through the camp with a cat's grace.“Why do you not tell her?”

“What would it matter?” The elf Prince answered as Danior made his way to his sister. Legolas watched as the moon of Mandalay pull her in close to plant a soft loving kiss on her forehead, an action he wished he could give to her in his place. “It is quite obvious her heart lies elsewhere.” He added as he watched her rest her head on his shoulder, strong arms holding her tightly. He could tell they were discussing something, but they were too far to hear the sound of her muffled tears on her brother's shoulder.

Now Aragorn understood. “The star and the moon do share quite the bond.” He agreed with a nod. “Then again from what I am told most siblings in their culture do.” He added with a smirk.

Legolas's eyes tore from the wagon to look upon his friend. “He is her brother?” A hopeful smile grew on his lips as Aragorn nodded. With a new sense of blissful determination for his Ninmirel’s heart his eyes turned back to the wagon, “Do you think she-?”

“I think that you should tell her. I may not know much about the wandering people, but I do know that they are a very accepting people, only harboring ill will to those who hold it for them.” Aragorn interrupted, hoping to see his friends happy. Legolas simply nodded in return before making his way down to the camp. He left no track and made no sound as he wandered through, trying to find the wagon she called hers.

It was easy for him to spot Steluta’s, the carvings in the wood and the way It was painted screamed to him everything about her personality. It looked wild and free yet graceful, so full of color and life with the white rose and silver star carved into the wood. He felt as if his heart had lept up into his throat as his long slender fingers reached up to the door. “You have grown since last I saw you Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm.” The fair haired queen sat on the steps to the wagon across from her daughter’s holding a single unlit lantern. He turned to her with a look telling her he didn't recognize her at all. “Don't feel badly. You were just a babe,” she looked like her daughter as she let out a chuckle. His fingers dropped from the door as he moved to her.

“Our people seem to have much in common. What happened to cause this divide? We should be friends.” He asked as he took a seat next to her.

“The fault is on both sides really.” She explained as she leaned herself against the pole the empty lantern hung from. “It is customary for our people to celebrate the new birth of a royal line. It keeps good relations with standing kingdoms. When you were born Iulian, Steluta’s grandfather brought us to Mirkwood where Thranduil spurred our royal blood for lack of homelands.” Legolas's eyes grew a firm sadness, it sounded just like his father to do such a close minded thing. “When Vorris and I took rule some years later we attempted to mend the divide with the offer of a union…You to our daughter soon to be born.”

“And my father no doubt took great offence.” Serata nodded in confirmation of his statement. “Well, I doubt I will ever take the throne of the woodland realm, but for what it is worth I am sorry.” He turned back to the wagon, no doubt in his mind it was too late to mend things tonight as the light from the lantern inside went out. “I wish he didn’t sever such a tie. My heart would sing to have your daughter as my bride.”

“Would you like to know what she said to you?” She offered with a coy grin as she looked to the dark wagon, well aware her daughter slumbered, sure she was dreaming of her elf.

Legolas shook his head lightly. “I don’t think my heart could bear that right now.”

Serata chuckled lightly. “She said she hates how beautiful you are to her, and that she has fallen in love with you.” She told him. And though I know little Elvish I feel sure your words were not as hurtful as you made seem either?”

His eyes widened as He listened to Steluta's mother, lost for words as he turned back to the wagon that held the woman who loved him.

“You! Elf!” Danior's voice barked gruffly in the night air. “Get away from my mother!” He added as he jumped from a wagon adorned with a white wolf's head and the image of a moon. His dark eyes narrowed to the elf as he stalked forward, drawing a fist back and thrusting it into Legolas's right cheek. Legolas looked back to the angry eyes of his love's brother...how could he be angry with the wanderer? He knew he deserved that. “You made my sister cry!” He barked as he drew a dagger from his belt. “I should-”

“Danior!” Serata snapped, raining her son in. “Încetează!”

“But mother-” he protested as his long black hair fell in clumps in to his chocolate brown eyes.

“I said stop this.” She repeated in common as she moved to her son, holding a hand out for his dagger. He looked to her, grimacing in anger before abiding by his mother's wishes.

“Get out of our camp. You are not welcome among the Mandalay people” he spat at the elf's feet.

#lotr #lord of the rings #fanfiction #legolas #legolas x oc

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